In addition to rumors that he’s been eyeballing at least a couple of possibilities at the collegiate level, there have been reports that former Oregon quarterback Jeremiah Masoli would likely make himself available for the NFL’s supplemental draft later this month.
Apparently, the latter is not going to happen. And, given Masoli’s rap sheet, it’ll take a program whose head coach has a big pair for the former to happen.
Tyson Alger of the Oregonian is reporting this evening that Masoli will not be a part of the pool of players who have made themselves available for the July 15 NFL draft. An NFL spokesman told the paper that Masoli did not file the necessary paperwork by July 5 to be included in the mid-summer NFL draft.
Instead, it appears that Masoli will take the collegiate route, and likely at a rung lower than the Div. 1-A level he previously played at with such talent that, before his twin run-ins with the law this offseason, had the QB situated for a run at the Heisman in 2010. If Masoli decides to stay in Div. 1-A, he would have to sit out a season unless granted a waiver by the NCAA.
There was a report last week that Masoli had already visited the Louisiana Tech campus, and that he has an interest in, among other schools, Mississippi State.
Other than those schools -- provided they are even realistic possibilities -- Masoli may have an impossible row to hoe and could find himself in Div. 1-AA -- or lower -- before making himself available for the 2011 draft.